Free outdoor program of the 39th edition of the
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
Long Live Music!
As the 39th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto prepares for liftoff in just under a month, the time has come to celebrate! With its 40th anniversary approaching, the Festival continues on its mission to offer a vast program that masterfully links jazz, blues, rock, reggae, world music and electronica, with over 500 concerts – 2/3 of them free – presented over 10 days and nights on 20 stages, on a site closed to vehicular traffic. A true haven of happiness and musical pleasure right in the heart of downtown Montréal! From June 28 to July 7, hundreds of thousands of people will cross the threshold of the world’s largest jazz festival to set themselves free to the rhythms and melodies of music. From small intimate salons to immense open-air concerts, from major icons to young prodigies on the rise, artists from the world over to homegrown talents, the Festival assembles and showcases the entire spectrum of possibilities to keep music vibrant and alive!
Two major free outdoor events on the TD Stage that you simply cannot miss!
For its 39th edition, the Festival has once again aimed high with the mid-fest Grand Événement by TD Bank Group starring Jessie Reyez, THE Canadian R&B revelation, in a powerhouse energetic show! Winner of the Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year this past March, the Torontonian launched her debut EP, Kiddo, to wild acclaim on the musical landscape, powered by the extraordinary, tormented voice heard in songs like Figures, Shutter Island, Hard to Love and Gatekeeper. Hers is a name you’ll be hearing about for years to come! July 3 at 9:30 p.m.
On July 7, for the Rio Tinto Grand Closing Event, flagship rock band The War on Drugs take the stage to wrap up the Festival in grand style. At the height of their powers after winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album album for the excellent A Deeper Understanding, this American quartet stands at the summit of the music world. Renowned for their spellbinding concerts, powerful sound and sublimely contemplative rock, the band promises nothing short of a magisterial closing soirée! July 7 at 9:30 p.m.
And that’s just a musical foretaste… Here’s what the 39th edition of the Festival has in store for fans in its free outdoor program:
An overview of the program, stage by stage
TD Stage (Place des Festivals)
In addition to its 2 major events, the Place des Festivals hosts larger-than-life parties in the Performances
TD series at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
June 28 / !!! (Chk Chk Chk) — This dance-punk-indie-rock combo is already 20 years into a fab career. They’re the logical follow-on from Talking Heads, PIL and New Order.
June 29 / Boulevards — Incarnating the funk revival in a direct lineage from Prince and Rick James, Jamil Rashad aka Boulvards gets everyone dancing from the title of his debut album Groove! on out.
June 30 / Spanish Harlem Orchestra — Hailing from the famed Latin New York neighbourhood they namecheck, this salsa outfit returns to thrill salsa fans with a Nuyorican party they’ll never forget!
July 1 / The Suffers — Authentic jazz soul-funk from a band straight from Texas. Led by the charismatic Kam Franklin, this Gulf Coast band relentlessly spreads its contagious groove.
July 2 / Nomadic Massive — The Montréal-based collective assembles members from all backgrounds to create a unique rap-jazz fusion with lyrics in English, French, Créole, Spanish and Arabic.
July 4 / Hannah Williams & The Affirmations — “Deep soul’s funkiest new diva” has the gift of a golden voice that rings out like a bell and charms everyone, including Jay-Z, who took her on as his protégée.
July 5 / Too Many Zooz — In 2014, they whipped up a buzz in the New York Subway with their supercharged jazz fusion and unhinged look. Since then, the trio has racked up the concerts and released the dynamic Subway Gawdz, perfectly capturing their completely wild style.
July 6 / Megative — Exciting new Brooklyn combo Megative lays down an intense dub sound deeply rooted in the British punk and reggae of the late ’70s, laced with cool influences from the New York scene. Experience the finest Canadian jazz! Gammes TD series at 6 p.m.
June 28 / Joe Sullivan Big Band — Now a major presence on the Canadian jazz scene, this Big Band has released 3 albums and numbers some of the finest musicians in Québécois jazz among its membership.
June 29 / Hilario Duran trio with special guest Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez — Leading a trio, brilliant Cuban pianist Hilario Duran showcases his excellence on his instrument, accompanied by virtuoso drummer and percussionist Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez for a moment of unprecedented sun-soaked intensity.
June 30 / Elise LeGrow — On her latest album, cleverly titled Playing Chess, the young thirtysomething with the magnetic look pays tribute to the songs of the famed Chicago label Chess Records and that ’50s era.
July 1 / Jerry Granelli — A major player in modern jazz, famed drummer Jerry Granelli thrills fans with his precise, impulsive beats, leaving plenty of room for improvisation.
July 4 / Annie G. Roy — Winner of this year’s contest organized by Fondation evenko (inviting young performers and singer songwriters aged 18-25). Not yet 20, the singer dreams of becoming a renowned jazzwoman. She’s already off and running!
July 4 / Annie G. Roy — Winner of this year’s contest organized by Fondation evenko (inviting young performers and singer songwriters aged 18-25). Not yet 20, the singer dreams of becoming a renowned jazzwoman. She’s already off and running!
Rio Tinto Stage (corner Ste. Catherine and Jeanne-Mance)
At noon and 3 p.m., youth proves its mettle in the JazzFest des jeunes series spotlighting highschool and college ensembles. At 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Les Soirées jazzy Rio Tinto series unfolds the full range of music derived from jazz.
June 28 / Banda Magda — Led by Greek singer Magda Giannikou, this talented multicultural group grooves into the bossa nova repertoire, elevated by her sublime voice.
June 29 / Davina and The Vagabonds — Davina and the Vagabonds roll in with a distinctively New Orleans jazz spiced up with a pinch of burlesque verve from the sparkling Davina.
June 30 / ECHLO — With her unique voice and orchestral soul pop style, Charles hit the big time from the release of her debut EP Little Green Bud in 2010.
July 1 / Deva Mahal — The daughter of legendary bluesman Taj Mahal plunges into the biz with her first release Run Deep produced by Scott Jacoby, steeped in soul and R&B and laced with the dub sounds of her youth.
July 2 / Barbra Lica — Nominated for a 2017 Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year for I’m Still Learning, the singer invites us into her original jazz-accented pop world.
July 3 / Sarah McKenzie — A genuine revelation in her native land, the Australian pianist and singer represents the new face of the jazz scene with her swing and blues accents and suave voice.
July 4 / Stéphane Moraille — The iconic voice of Bran Van 3000, and especially classic single Drinking in L.A. The artist returns to the spotlight with the album Daïva: colourful vocal jazz where Créole meets English.
July 5 / David Myles — A native of New Brunswick, singer-songwriter, David Myles unfolds a sound often called folk-jazz. An eclectic, prolific artist, he’s also the voice heard on smash hit Inner Ninja by Canadian rapper Classified.
July 6 / Hannah Williams — Accompanied by her Affirmations, assembling the finest English jazz musicians of the the moment, the singer sweeps us into her entrancing whirlwind of soul.
July 7 / M. Ward — The music of American singer Matthew Stephen Ward is a perfect example of subtle indie folk, as captured on his album More Rain, at once melancholy and soothing.
Club Jazz Casino de Montréal (on De Bleury, below Ste. Catherine)
A true favourite Festival fan spot for its warm ambience, fun spirit and three series of concerts. Kick things off with Apéro Casino de Montréal at 6 p.m.
June 28 / Zara McFarlane — With her warm, spellbinding voice, Zara unfurls a poignant jazz steeped in influences from reggae to pop, folk to blues.
June 29 / Mario Allard Quintet — Montréal saxophonist Mario Allard is back with the aptly-named Diaporama, a 2nd album recorded with a quintet, where inspired improv and long solos act out a breathless back-and-forth.
June 30 / Trio Jonathan Turgeon with Alex Dodier — Accompanied by excellent saxophonist Alex Dodier, the group will unveil original pieces from a pair of albums, including the latest Les rêves errants released in 2017.
July 1 / The Ernesto Cervini Turboprop — In his third visit to the Festival, the consummate bandleader and sought-after collaborator invites us to experience the unique Turboprop, his latest critically-acclaimed album.
July 2 / Simon Legault Quintette — A Festival regular, the Montréal guitarist returns at the head of a quintet with Hypnagogia Polis, his 3rd album.
July 3 / Thomas Carbou trio — Eight-string guitar virtuoso, this Montréal musician describes his sound as electro-jazz and draws inspiration from the four corners of the planet, equally from traditional music, folk and chanson.
July 4 / Charles Trudel — The pianist recently launched his first, Fruit, a gamble that paid off for an experienced musician who draws inspiration from the hard bop period, with an added flavouring of the post-modern.
July 5 / Robi Botos Trio — Juno Award winner in 2016 for Jazz Album of the Year (solo), the Hungarian-born pianist and keyboardist returns to the Festival with a decidedly original: in a trio accompanied by his brother on bass and his father on drums.
July 6 / Le Jaguermalsen with guest Christine Jensen — After assembling at McGill University, the members of this group present original compositions drawing on a vast range of styles. For the occasion, they welcome talented Montréal saxophonist Christine Jensen.
July 7 / John Roney & Tevet Sela —The River is the result of an inspired collaboration between pianist John Roney and saxophonist Tevet Sela. The accomplished musicians bring out the best in one another while transporting us on the wings of their exquisitely tranquil jazz.
Brunantes Casino de Montréal series at 8 p.m.
June 28 / Shake Stew — Shake Stew is the Austrian jazz group of the moment. This unique septet is conquering the music world with its hypnotic blend of Afrobeat and jazz grooves created by a combo of two drummers and two double bassists!
June 29 / Rémi Panossian — The virtuoso French pianist, a leading figure in the renewal of contemporary jazz, unveils the deeply intimate album DO, featuring original compositions and recorded live in a club in Toulouse, where the musician has held court for over 12 years. Between nostalgia and a new departure.
June 30 / Jazzlab — Since their creation in 2003, this collective of the finest players in experimental Québécois jazz has been innovating and creating in a permanent whirlwind of musical ideas.
July 1 / Gwyneth Herbert — The British singer delivers an array of her finest songs with her moving voice and oh-so-British poise.
July 2 / Min Rager Quartet — Born in Seoul, pianist Min Rager launched her career in South Korean jazz clubs before moving to Montréal. In 2003, she formed her own group to perform her originals, evolving into one of the most undeniably talented jazz pianists in Canada.
July 3 / Rafael Zaldivar & The Afro-Cuban Revival — A Festival regular, this Cuban pianist now living in Montréal invites us to experience his Afro-Cuban folk sound and warm rhythms.
July 4 / MTL HB5 — MTL Hard Bop Five, a quintet of Montréal musicians transporting us back to the golden age of hard bop with original compositions heavily influenced by such major artists as Art Blakey, Donald Byrd and Horace Silver.
July 5 / Razalaz — The Razalaz project unveils a jazz/funk repertoire laid down by a passionate sextet led by pianist and composer Oliver Salazar. With an electric rhythm section and powerhouse melodic section, their delicious blend gets everyone to boogie.
July 6 / Christine Tassan et les Imposteures — A devoted fan of European gypsy jazz, the French guitarist accompanied by her “imposteures” presents music inspired by the immortal Django.
July 7 / Stéphane Wrembel — A reference point in gypsy jazz, this guitarist released The Django Experiment III in January, the final chapter in a triptych dedicated to the undisputed master of the genre, Django Reinhardt.
Escales nocturnes Casino de Montréal series, 10 p.m. (90 min.).
June 28 and 29 / Papagroove — Collecting Montréal’s finest jazz musicians, this band unfurls a sound they dub Afro-funk, blending the best of funk, rock, soul and jazz.
June 30 / Ghost Note feat. MonoNeon — Drummer Robert Sput Searight and percussionist Nate Werth, both members of supercharged group Snarky Puppy, welcome American bassist MonoNeon for a deeply rhythmic, groovy musical moment.
July 1, 2 and 3 / LowDown Brass Band — Originally from Chicago, LowDown Brass Band is a horn section deeply rooted in the New Orleans Second Line tradition, with a touch of the modern.
July 4 and 5 / Clay & Friends — Pros of musical improvisation and freestyle, Mike Clay and his band play with words equally skilfully in English and French. Their latest album, Conformopolis, extends a bridge from the mountains of the Maghreb to the streets of Montréal with its cutting-edge urban lyrics.
July 6 and 7 / Fredy V — Impossible to resist the charisma of Fredy V once he takes over the stage. On his debut album, #ItTakesAVillage, the multi-instrumentalist – born in Washington DC and now a resident of Montréal – unveils a danceable, inspired electro-funk.
A selection of bands zigzag across the site throughout the Festival run, offering non-stop musical entertainment. Enjoy fab combos including The Heavyweights Brass Band, Les Royal Pickles, Streetnix, Le Dixieband, Swing Tonique.
World Stage (corner Clark and De Maisonneuve)
The Grooves du monde series takes off every evening at 8 p.m. on its musical tour of the world.
June 28 / Elida Almeida — Originally from Cape Verde, this talented singer conjures up the moments of joy and suffering that mark life in her native land. On her second album, Kebrada, the artist declares her African allegiance through Cape Verdean rhythms laced with Latin accents.
June 29 / Noubi Trio — Based on traditional West African music blended with influences from folk to jazz, this trio led by Noubi Ndiaye takes us on a genuinely mystical and exotic musical journey.
June 30 / Florence K, Estrellas — At her piano, accompanied by her loyal musicians, Florence K transports us to the Caribbean with a new album laced with Cuban and Latin influences, Estrellas, written and produced with Alex Cuba.
July 1 / Roberto Lopez, Criollo Electrik — In a trio, Colombian guitarist Roberto Lopez unveils his album Criollo Electrik — electrified Créole — percolating with the varied trad influences of his musicians, for a tasty Melting Pot sound.
July 2 / INUS ASO Reggae Band — Live, this combo shifts between classics by the pope of reggae, Bob Marley, and original compositions in direct lineage from the master.
July 3 / Jupiter & Okwess — Modernity and tradition collide in an explosive musical cocktail! Discovered by the leader of Gorillaz, this group led by the charismatic Jupiter Bokondji shakes up a powerful, captivating Afro-jazz.
July 4 / Altin Gün — Dutch musician Jasper Verhulst’s group Altin Gün – Turkish for “golden age” – revives the greatest music of the late ’60s and early ’70s of that faraway Bosphorus land.
July 5 / Lo’Jo — For thirty years, these tireless street artists have spread their dreamlike music to the four corners of the planet. It’s a strange, poetic world fusing typically French chanson with gypsy influences.
July 6 and 7 / Lakou Mizik — Founded in 2010 in the wake of the Haitian earthquake as a statement of resilience, this group of players from diverse backgrounds and generations lays out a sound based on Traditional Haitian music (Rasin) laced with elements of rap and dancehall.
When electronica meets tropical rhythms… things get hot-hot-hot! The Electropical series at 10 p.m.
June 28 / Boogát — Blending hip-hop with Latin music like Cumbia, Salsa and Reggaeton, the Boogát sound stands out as unique on the musical landscape.
June 29 / Agua Negra — Cutting-edge hip-hop with neo-Latin soul accents. The group takes the stage with an exclusive unveiling of tracks from their new album, six years after their eponymous debut. A musical voyage away from the everyday!
June 30 / Teke Teke — Originally conceived as a tribute to legendary Japanese guitarist Takeshi 'Terry' Terauchi, this group swiftly evolved into an original outfit with an album, Line Art, crossing traditional Japanese music with modern elements like shoegaze, post-rock and surf.
July 1 / La Chiva Gantiva — It’s a unique jazz fusion with Afro-Colombian accents. Last November, the group released its 4th album Despegue, (Spanish for “takeoff”) – consider yourselves forewarned!
July 2 / Afrikana Soul Sister — Afrikana Soul Sister is the point at which Western techno and traditional African music meet. It’s a delightful blend of two musical worlds, born under the impetus of Jean-François Lemieux.
July 3 / Gato Preto — Describing their sound as “AfroFuturist”, this group plunges us into a musical trance woven by powerful electronica and hypnotic African percussion.
July 4 / Jupiter & Okwess — Modernity and tradition collide in an explosive musical cocktail! Discovered by the leader of Gorillaz, this group led by the charismatic Jupiter Bokondji shakes up a powerful, captivating Afro-jazz.
July 5 / Da Cruz — Energetically blending styles as varied electronica, funk, dancehall, Afrobeat, kuduru, jazz and samba, Da Cruz has crowds worldwide up and dancing.
July 6 / Pierre Kwenders –– Artist Pierre Kwenders effortlessly moves from R&B to futurist hip-hop, with his Congolese influences always in the picture, as on his latest release MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time. Amazing!
July 7 / Sweet Crude — This septet blows out a sound in the purest Louisiana tradition, lacing it with modern sounds.
Hyundai / CBC/Radio-Canada Stage (Parterre symphonique, corner Clark and De Montigny)
The annual must-see and must-be for true blues fans: the famed Parterre Stage! The action kicks into blues gear with Spectacles blues Hyundai series at 7 p.m.
June 28 / Endrick & The Sandwiches — Singer, guitarist and harmonica player Endrick and his triple-decker Sandwiches dig deeply into the joys of delta blues and boogie-woogie, with the occasional foray into ’60s Brit rock.
June 29 / Riot and The Blue Devils — They sold their souls to the blues… and in a puff of smoke, here they are with original tracks including hellacious songs from their recent 4th album The Roxboro Sessions released in February.
June 30 / Justin Saladino Band — Nominated this year as Best New Artist at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto, Justin Saladino has everything it takes to be one of the greats: precision and melody.
July 1 / Mike Goudreau Band — The American guitarist returns to Canada, his father’s native land, with songs from Alternate Takes – Vol 1, an anthology of unreleased tracks recorded throughout his career.
July 2 / Delgres — Blues in Créole – that’s the latest wild project from guitarist Pascal Danae, here with a trio for a trip through delta blues, blues-rock and Caribbean laments steeped in the life-affirming brass of New Orleans.
July 3 / Rob Lutes Band — For over 20 years, Rob Lutes and his group have whipped out a workingman’s rock-blues worthy of Springsteen. A Festival regular, Lutes brings us an exclusive preview of Walk in the Dark, his 7th album due in September.
July 4 / Dwane Dixon — A true ambassador for the genuine blues-rock of the ’60s and ’70s, Dwane Dixon pours body and soul into the genre.
July 5 / Conor Gains — A precocious talent from Ontario, Conor Gains grew up with a guitar in his hand. He and his band roll in to get us grooving to blues accented with soul and folk.
July 6 / Layla Zoe — Often compared to Janis Joplin for her timbre de and vocal power, Layla Zoe is an internationally acclaimed artist.
July 7 / Orb Mellon — Orb Mellon – nickname of dynamic Connecticut musician Mike Malone – describes his music as “the blues in all its primeval glory,” an epic fusion of acoustic and electric. An artist you can’t afford to miss!
Next, Soirées blues Hyundai series, 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
June 28 / Steve Strongman — Award-winning Canadian bluesman Steve Strongman pays tribute to blues-rock as a living, evolving form, as amply evidenced on his latest album No Time Like Now.
June 29 / Bryan Lee — A cornerstone of the celebrated Bourbon Street scene in New Orleans, the man known as “Braille Blues Daddy” masters the genre like nobody else. A regular in prestigious venues and festivals for almost 40 years, he has the history of the blues at his fingertips.
June 30 / Angel Forrest — For almost 20 years, this powerhouse artist has unleashed her full, raw voice all over the world, from Canada to Mexico to Japan, thrilling true fans of the blues.
July 1 / Diunna Greenleaf — Raised on gospel in her native Houston, Texas, this fiery blues diva boasts a complete mastery of the genre.
July 2 / They Call Me Rico — After two critically-acclaimed albums and a live record, one-man band Frédéric Pellerin, alias They Call Me Rico, returns stronger than ever this year with a 4th release, This Time.
July 3 / Lachy Doley Group — Hailed as the “Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond Organ”, the hyper Lachy Doley delivers an absolute psychedelic-rock knockout alongside renowned drummer Jackie Barnes and bassist Joel Burton.
July 4 / Steve Hill — Renowned for his fiery live performances, multi-instrumentalist and virtuoso Steve Hill impresses with his technical mastery and musicality alike.
July 5 / Christone Kingfish Ingram — A blues guitarist right out of Mississippi, this artist remakes the standards of blues and rock, making them utterly his own and electrifying fans with his passion.
July 6 / Thornetta Davis — Nicknamed the “Queen of Detroit Blues”, the fiery Thornetta Davis fully deserves her title. A born stage performer, she electrifies crowds with her powerhouse voice and mastery.
July 7 / RL Boyce — A true bluesman straight outta Mississippi! With his laid-back style and fretboard skill, RL Boyce transports us back to the root of modern music.
Place Heineken (corner Ste. Catherine and De Bleury)
An absolutely essential Festival destination with its lovely terrasse, bar and continuous music into the wee hours.
From 1 p.m., Envolées du Festival series hosts the best university combos in Québec. (Encore at 5 p.m. in Complexe Desjardins)
At 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Lounge Heineken series bridges blues, rock’n’roll, rockabilly, country, swing, folk, bluegrass and much more!
June 28 / Sam Tucker — Semi-finalist on La Voix in 2017, this British native now living in Québec recently dropped a debut single, Powder Fame, with a gritty, powerful blues-rock style, driven by catchy riffs and strong melodies!
June 29 / Declan O’Donovan — This modern troubadour transports us back to the Prohibition era with his jazzily accented folk.
June 30 / Bharath and his Rhythm Four — Based in Montréal, this quartet led by guitarist, singer and harmonica blower Bharath Rajakumar pays tribute to the blues, swing and rock of the ’50s.
July 1 / The Mighty Swells — The cats in this 100% instrumental surf rock combo blast out an array of tracks from such genre pioneers as The Ventures and Link Wray, alongside originals that do their idols proud.
July 2 / The Wood Shredders — Take a trip through ’30-’50s era Americana with this multi-instrumentalist duo. The tandem explores the bluegrass, folk, Cajun and blues repertoire, picking up pretty much anything with strings on it.
July 3 and 4 / Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses — Led by sparkling saxophonist and singer Aurora Nealand, this combo draws its repertoire from Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhart and the traditional jazz of New Orleans.
July 5 / Kepa — This former pro skateboarder from France traded in the steel stairway railings for steel guitar strings, delivering an epic, cutting-edge modern blues.
July 6 / Orb Mellon — Orb Mellon – nickname of dynamic Connecticut musician Mike Malone – describes his music as “the blues in all its primeval glory,” an epic fusion of acoustic and electric. An artist you can’t afford to miss!
July 7 / Seb’s Music Shop — It’s one-man-band Sébastien Plante, exploring the soul of blues and rock’n’roll through the songbooks of Robert Johnson, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed.
The fun rolls on from midnight with Sessions Heineken series!
June 28 and 29, July 1 to 7 / Israel Proulx — Calling all toe-tappers and rug-cutters, singer Israel Proulx invites you all to one fiery rockabilly throwdown.
June 30 / Wasiu — Wasiu assembles the brightest Montréal stars under one roof for a decadent soirée of hip-hop bristling with trenchant rhymes and contagious rhymes.
M2 (59 Ste. Catherine E.)
The smallest of venues, the wildest of parties! The Nightcap Heineken series at midnight.
June 28 and July 2 / Dunes — It’s a brilliant project assembling of some of the most accomplished musicians in Montréal, including Jesse MacCormack, current and former members of Plaster and Afrodizz, Betty Bonifassi, Stefie Shock and Coyote Bill. Together, they weave a desert blues crossed with African grooves and twangy guitars.
June 29 and 30, July 1 / Kalmunity — This artist collective gathers poets, singers, an MC, DJ, dancers and musicians around an improvisational concept of live music described as live organic improv. Featuring a genuine potpourri with multicultural influences including R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeat, funk, reggae, soul and jazz!
July 3 and 4 / Surprise concert!
July 5 to 7 / #LECYPHER — Famed for their #LECYPHER jam sessions, this eclectic group of Montréal musicians, singers, rappers, beatboxers and an MC invite everyone to bring their own instruments!
Moving show
Every day at 5 p.m., a majorly extraordinary horn section winds up festival fans with its rewired covers of hip-hop classics: the Urban Science Brass Band parade show. Party in the streets!
TD Blues Camp: graduation show
Every year, the Festival offers 50 teens the opportunity to experience a musical day camp completely devoted to the blues, and absolutely free: Blues Camp presented by TD! For one week, from June 30 to July 6, these young musicians aged 13-17 are accompanied by renowned professionals from the music world, helping them refine their musical knowledge and putting on a major concert. On Friday, July 6 at 6 p.m., on the TD Stage, you can witness the fruits of their labours! Get all the details at campdeblues.com.
The Family at the Festival, with Rio Tinto
The Festival is also for kids! Every day, our event offers something for the entire family, everywhere on the site.
La Petite école du jazz (Little School of Jazz) presented by Rio Tinto — For 29 years now, they’ve extended the invitation, and the kids are as mad for it as ever! A dynamic, interactive musical initiation packed with smiles and fun, accompanied by the Festival’s famed mascot Ste-Cat, Les Zélèves, the vocal harmony quintet led by Victor-Jacques Ménard, alongside James Gelfand and his quartet. Grande-Place in Complexe Desjardins, every day from June 28 to July 7, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Head to Parc musical Rio Tinto for an array of interactive activities conceived around the theme of music, in a space specially adapted for the needs of families! The games employ technology in playful musical installations that are both whimsical and fantastic.
Club famille Rio Tinto hosts entertainment and activities for children every day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. with Educazoo, workshops for creating and handling marionettes, key chains and badges, introduction to the circus arts, a quiz-show Quel cinéma ! and Musée d’art contemporain workshops.
Free services offered by Rio Tinto: changing tables, a stroller loan service, as well as new children’s bracelets designed to record their parents’ contact information.
With the presence of Radio-Canada
Radio-Canada invites you to share your passion for jazz with a special program available on their mobile studio, which will be broadcasted live from July 2 to 6. The show Le 15-18 sur ICI RADIO-CANADA PREMIÈRE will be the first to start followed by four special evenings with Stanley Péan: Rencontres en paroles et en musique with Michel Donato en formation trio on July 3 at 5:30 p.m., a conference about the history of jazz accompanied by a group of musicians on July 5 at 5:30 p.m. and the show QUAND LE JAZZ EST LÀ sur ICI MUSIQUE on July 5 and 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A thrilling occasion to move together on the rhythm of jazz.
New on the site
Known for being oddly curious, it comes as no surprise that Hendrick’s Gin has pushed the boundaries of peculiarity, fusing music with spectacle, jazz with gin and score with soar on June 28th and 29! For the first time in Festival International De Jazz De Montreal history, Hendrick’s Gin has taken to the skies with the 65-foot Hendrick’s E.L.E.V.A.T.U.M. and the streets with the Hendrick’s C.O.R.G.A.N., the world’s first ever jazz organ made with real cucumbers for keys! The Hendrick’s Gin E.L.E.V.A.T.U.M. hot air balloon will whisk lucky golden tickets holders 44 ¼ cucumbers sky high, in a wonderous world of cucumbers and roses against the Montreal sky! All festival attendees of legal age are welcome to visit the Air Departure Lounge to sample mini Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic tea cups and enter their world of whimsy!
When it comes to taste buds, festival-goers will have the pleasure to discover La terrasse des Fromages d’ici. Open from noon to midnight, it will be located on Ste-Catherine Street, in front of the Complexe Desjardins. On the agenda, numerous savoury cheese varieties recommended by a Master Cheesemaker, who will take great pleasure in presenting Quebec’s expertise.
J'aime le Festival Contest
1st prize: Lease of a new Hyundai Kona 1.6T Trend 2018 with an approximate value of $14,000. Offered by Hyundai.
2nd prize: A 13-inch aluminum MacBook Pro, with a value of $3,170. Offered by Rio Tinto.
3rd prize: A JURA E6 coffee machine, with a value of $2,300. Offered by JURA
4th prize: A package for 10 people at restaurant Le Montréal in the Casino de Montréal, with a value of $1,000. Offered by Casino de Montréal.
5th prize: A SAQ gift card, with a value of $500. Offered by the SAQ.
6th prize: A 6-Course Package on the Bateau-Mouche including the three-hour and a half, 6-course menu, musical entertainment, immersive experience and services charges, with a value of $290. Offered by Bateau-Mouche.
Enter at: montrealjazzfest.com/concoursjazz. The drawing will be held on July 9, 2018 at 11 a.m.
Thank you to our partners
We would like to offer our warmest thanks to our principal sponsor and official presented TD, as well as Rio Tinto, co-presenter of the Festival, for their continued support. Thanks also to Bell, Casino de Montréal, the Société des Alcools du Québec, Heineken, Hyundai, Les Producteurs de lait du Québec, Hendrick’s Gin, Le Porc du Québec and all of our suppliers and collaborators. We thank the Government of Canada — the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Economic Development, Musicaction, the Government of Québec — the Ministère du Tourisme, Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine, SODEC, as well as the Ville de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Consulate General of Israel in Montréal. Thanks also to all of our media partners and the entire Festival team.
